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983 Featured Specimen
Water chevrotain

Details

Water chevrotain

Hyemoschus aquaticus

Size
75–85 cm · 7–16 kg
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan

Water chevrotain is a mammal associated with forests and freshwater habitats. It is herbivorous and usually solitary. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
AfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

Its range is represented here by the Afrotropics, where it uses forests and freshwater habitats. Mobile species may shift habitat use with season, breeding sites, or food availability.

Appearance

Typical length 75-85 cm, weight 7 kg-16 kg. It has a hoofed ungulate body plan, with proportions shaped by its habitat and mode of movement.

Behavior

It is mostly active at night and usually solitary. Spacing, group size, and visibility can change with season, feeding conditions, and breeding activity.

Feeding

It is herbivorous. Food choice and foraging style are tied to life in forests and freshwater habitats, so movements often follow available food resources.

Reproduction

As a mammal, it gives birth to live young, and the mother nurses them in cover or within the social group.

Notes

Recorded scientifically as Hyemoschus aquaticus. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters. In this guide, size, habitat, and activity pattern are useful first clues for recognition.